Bendable clip or fastener



y 1934- T. HUTNIKOW 1,957,023

BENDABLE CLI-P 0R FASTENER Filed Aug. 6. 1932 INVENTOR Megg'are Hulnikow 7 ZRNEY Patented May 1, 1934 BENDABLIE CLIP @R FASTENIER Theodore Hutnikow, Brooklyn, N. Y.

' Application August 6, 1932, Serial No. 627,691

14 Claims.

one side thereof and to be bent by the fastener itself after the passage of the prongs through the sheets when the fastener is bent by the user to carry the sections of the fastener into substantial parallelism and on opposite sides of the sheets.

While fasteners of the general type abovementioned have been previously known, they have the disadvantage that the sharp point of the prong is more or less exposed and frequently injures the finger of the user. Such previously known fasteners have the further disadvantage that they are not securely locked to the sheets and cannot be so locked, and thereby frequently hold the sheets so loosely that the sheets become detached from each other.

My invention therefore contemplates the provision of a simple fastener for a number of sheets adapted to be manufactured economically in large quantities, and provided with means for securely locking the sheets together while at the same time, so arranging the locking element that there is no possibility of any sharp parts thereof being exposed and thereby injuring the user.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the description which follows, and

from the drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my new fastener as it appears in its operative position and securing a number of sheets together.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of my new fastener as it appears before its attachment to the sheets.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in vertical section, of a modified form of the same as it appears in its locked position.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of that side of the fastener which I will term the front for purposes of convenience, though it will be understood that either side of the fastener may be the front.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, of another modified form of my invention wherein the locking elements are duplicated in each of the sections of the fastener.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of another modified form of my invention wherein duplicate locking elements are provided.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the same in the locked position thereof.

Fig. 11 is a combined perspective and sectional View similar to Fig. 5 of a slightly modified form 65 of my invention similar to Fig. 3 but wherein the guard lies in the same plane as that of the major part of the remainder of the fastener section.,

In that practical embodiment of my invention illustrated by way of example, my new fastener is made of a single piece of sheet material such as thin and substantially non-resilient iron, steel, brass or the like, and comprises two sections 10 and 11 arranged substantially at rightangles to each other and joined by the integral bend 12. Each of the sections may be of any desired shape but I prefer'to terminate each of said sections in a substantially semi-circular end as 13. To strengthen and reinforce the sections,

a marginal bead as 14 is preferably provided, said bead being of substantially semi-circular cross-section and extending to a point 15, slightly below the top of the section and adjacent the bend 12. Said bead offers a stop or finger grip to the user so that the fingers do not readily slip ofi the sections as the fastener is applied to the sheets. In the section 10, a pair of upwardly converging cuts as 17 and 18 are made, said cuts being joined by the terminal cut 19. The material of the section 10 from between said cuts 17, 18 and 19 is bent inwardly of the section 10 to provide the pointed prong 20, extending substantially parallel to the section 11.

It will be understood that the prong 20 is 95. suitably pointed at its free end as 21, to permit its ready passage through the sheets 16. It will also be understood that said prong may be inclined at somewhat less than a right angle to the section 10 in order to bias the prong toward its locking position, and to insure the proper bending thereof after its passage through the sheets. The prong 20 cooperates with certain portions of the section 11 to lock the sections 10 and 11 together and to the sheets and to lock the sheets together in the operative position of the fastener.

Toward this end, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and, 4 inclusive, a pair of substantially parallel cuts 22 and 23, parallel to the bend 12, are made inthe section 11 and partway across said section. The

material between the cuts is bent inwardly of the section 11 to form the guard strap or cross-bar 24 and thereby, to provide a slot as 25 between the guard 24 and the remainder of the section 11.

Those portions 26 and 27 of the section 11 immediately above and below the cuts 22 and 23, respectively, are preferably pressed outwardly of said section, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3', to provide the recesses 28 and 29, respectively. Said portions 26 and 27 are thereby so spaced as to form the outer walls of the slot 25. It will be understood that said slot is of sufiicient depth to receive the prong 20 when the fastener is applied to the sheet 16. It will also be understood that if desired, as shown in Fig. 11, the guard 24 need not be pressed inwardly and that the portions 26 and 27 may be pressed outwardly to the desired extent to make the slot 25 of the proper depth. In that case, the guard 24 lies substantially in the same plane as the major part of the section 11, as will be obvious without further description or illustration.

' In order to secure the fastener to the collection of sheets 16, the sections 10 and 11 are arranged on opposite sides of said collection of sheets with the bend 12 near the upper edge of the sheets to be secured. The sections 10 and 11 are then pressed together to cause the prong 20 to pierce the sheets and to carry the point 21 into the recess 29. As the sections are pressed towards each other, the inner wall of the portion 27 engages the point of the prong and by reason of the curvature of said wall, causes said prong to follow the curve 30 and to pass outwardly of the guard 24 and into the slot 25. When the sections 10 and 11 have been pressed together to the fullest extent, the prong lies completely in the slot 25 and the point 21 thereof is hidden and protected from exposure by the portion 26.

It will be understood that the guard 24 and the sections 26 and 27 cooperate to lock the prong in place, and to lock the sections 10 and 11 together and to the sheets against detachment or accidental removal.

It will further be understood that since the material of which the fastener is made is substantially nonresilient, little resistance is offered to the bending of the parts so that they may be properly locked together as above described. However, to prevent bending of the parts at points other than the bend 12 when the fastener is bent about the sheets 16, I prefer to weaken the bend 12, or to thin out said bend slightly. This I prefer to do by a blow of a suitable tool which reaches across the bend 12 to a slight extent but which reaches completely across the fastener. The area so struck and thinned is indicated at 35 (Fig. 4).

During the operation 'of attaching the fastener to the sheets, it will be obvious that the inner wall of the portion 27 serves as an anvil to turn the prong into the slot '25 to arrange the bent prong in the recesses 28 and 29. The anvil action of the curved wall 30 being similar to the action of a tool designed to turn prongs of fasteners of various types, the bending action will be understood by those skilled in the art, and need not be further described.

Referring now to that form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and. 6, a-single cut as 31 replaces the parallel cuts 22 and 23, previously described. The upper portion 32 above. the cut 31 is here pressed inwardly instead of outwardly so that it is directed oppositely to the section 27. Part of the prong'therefore lies in a recess 33 in the section 32 but the point 21 of the prong lies inwardly of the outer surface of the section 11 so that it is not exposed to contact with the finger of the user, which is thereby well protected.

In that form of my invention shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the locking elements are duplicates preferably symmetrically on each side of the center line of the fastener so as to insure a-double looking action. In this case, duplicate upper sections 26 are provided and duplicate lower sections 2'7, though it will be understood that the sections 26 and 27 and the guards may be modified in accordance with any of the modifications herein shown and described.

It will be understood that in this form of my invention, should either of the prongs 20, for any reason, fail to become properly positioned, which will not often occur, the other prong insures the locking action of the fastener.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, the double locking action may also be assured by similarly providing duplicate prongs, locking recesses and guards.- In this case, however, the portions 26 and 27 providing the recesses are arranged in the respective sections on opposite sides of the center line of the fastener, and the prong 20 is arranged in the other section to enter the recesses.

It will be understood that the modifications shown in Figs. 5 and 11 may be duplicated in the fastener as many times as may be desired, in adjacent relation, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8 or in opposed relation, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

w It will further be seen that I have provided a simple but efficient sheet fastener designed to be economically produced in large quantities and adapted to have the sections thereof locked together and to lock the fastener to the sheets to which it is applied, as well as being well adapted to meet the severe requirements of practical use.

While I have shown and described certain preferred forms of my invention, it will be understood that I do not desire to limit myself thereto but intend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bendable fastener of the character described, a prong-carrying section, a prong'formed' of part of the material of said section, an anvil section, an anvil wall on the anvil section adapted to engage and bend the prong on the bending of said sections toward each other, and a cross piece formed from the anvil section whereby said prong is locked in fiat position, the cross piece being bent into lateral spaced relation to the anvil wall and the adjacent transverse edges of the anvil wall and the cross piece being spaced apart laterally to permit the passage of the prong past said edges.

2. In a bendable fastener for sheet material, a pair of similar sections, a bend integral with and joining said sections and normally maintaining said sections in angular relation, a prong projecting inwardly of one of the sections, and means for bending and locking said prong in the bent operative position of the fastener comprising a trans-.

verse inner guard wall forming a portion of the other section, and an anvil wall integral with said other section and bent outwardly of and spaced from the guard wall, the adjacent transverse edges of said walls being spaced apart laterally for the passage therebetween of said prong, the anvil wall engaging the prong and bending the prong into the space between said edges.

3. In a bendable fastener of the character described, a pair of angularly arranged sections, a

prong extending inwardly of one section and formed from the material between a pair of converging cuts in the last-mentioned section, a guard on the other section formed of the material between a pair of substantially parallel cuts in said other section, said cuts being in a direction transverse to the axis of said prong and means on said other section spaced from the guard for engaging and bending said prong into a position outwardly of the guard and inwardly of said means on the bending of the fastener into its operative position.

4. In a bendable fastener of the character described, a prong-carrying section, a prong formed of part of the material of said section, an anvil section, an anvil wall on the anvil section adapted to engage and bend the prong on the bending of said sections toward each other, said wall having a free transverse edge and guard means on the anvil section spaced inwardly of said wall and limiting the inward bending action of said wall, said guard means comprising a cross member integral with the anvil section at its sides, and free of said anvil section along the transverse edge thereof adjacent the free edge of the anvil wall whereby a space is provided between said edges for the passage of the prong, said prong being of suflicient length to extend past said edges on the bending of said sections together.

5. In a bendable fastener of the character described, a pair of angularly arranged sections, a marginal reinforcing bend on each section, a prong on one of the sections formed from the material between a pair of converging cuts therein, a guard pressed inwardly of the other section, and a pair of outwardly pressed anvil wallson said other section, arranged respectively on opposite sides of the guard.

6. In a bendable fastener of the character described, a pair of similar sections, a prong on one of the sections, an anvil wall pressed outwardly of the other section to form a prong-receiving recess inwardly of said wall, and cross bar means integral with said other section and adjacent the wall for limiting the distance through which the prong can be bent inwardly by said wall.

7. In a bendable fastener of the character de scribed, a pair of sections bendable toward each other about the adjacent ends thereof, and a pair of duplicate securing elements on said sections, each of said elements including a prong on one of the sections and an anvil wall on the other section adapted tobend the prong, each of said sections having one of said prongs and one of said anvil walls.

8.'In a bendable fastener of the character described, a pair of angularly arranged sections, a prong projecting inwardly from one of the sections, the other section having a cut. therein extending partway across the section, an outwardly pressed anvil wall below the cut and an inwardly pressed wall above the cut forming a recess for the reception of the upper end of the prong, said lower wall serving as an anvil to bend the prong into the recess of the upper wall when said sections are bent toward each other about a sheet.

9. A one piece metallic clip or fastener having two similar fiat sections, said sections having reinforcing ribs along the edges thereof, one of said sections having a pointed prong, the other section having a rib longitudinal thereof and a recess intermediate the ends of said rib whereby said prong is bent, guided and locked in a flat position in said recess in operative position.

10. A' one piece bendable metal clip or fastener of two flat and similar sections, one of said sec-' tions having a pointed prong and the other of said sections having ribbed means including a longitudinal recess and a transverse slot therein for bending, guiding and finally locking said prong in fiat position in said recess and in said slot when said sections are brought into parallel relation- 11. A one piece fastener including a bendable section having a recess extending outwardly from the major part of said section, a narrow crossbar bridging said recess, and meansincluding a pointed prong cooperative with said recess and said cross-bar.

12. .A one piece fastener including a bendable section having a recess extending outwardly from the major part of said section, a cross-bar bridging said recess and lying in substantially the same plane as that of said major part, and means including a pointed prong cooperative with said recess and said cross-bar.

'13. A one piece bendable fastener including two sections joined by a bend, each of said sections having a recess extending outwardly from the major part thereof, a. cross bar bridging said recess, and pointed prongs on each of said sections cooperative with said recess and cross-bars.

14. A one piece bendable fastener including a section having a recess extending outwardly of the plane of the major part of'said section, another recess extending inwardly of said plane, and

said recesses.

THEODORE HUTNIKOW.

.means including a pointed prong cooperative with 

